Tram stop in Melbourne.
First stop of the day was Lune Croissanterie, voted as one of the best croissant places in Melbourne! The queue was insanely long when I reached, so I decided to skip it. Around the corner was The Rose Street Artists’ Market, a weekend market that features handmade and craft items, like candles, handicraft, bags, artwork and more. The items sold here are not cheap. Took a walk around and bought a preserved flowers jar display for $23.
There was also a café located within the market and got an iced latte before I go.
THE ROSE STREET ARTISTS' MARKET
60 Rose Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065
1000-1600hrs (Sat-Sun)
Following, I headed to Fitzroy Gardens where Australia’s oldest building is located, the Cook’s Cottage. Built in 1755 and originally located in England, the cottage was sold to Sir Russell Grimwade in 1933. It was then deconstructed brick by brick, packed into 253 cases and 40 barrels, and shipped to Melbourne. Today, the inside of the cottage includes centuries-old antiques and is styled in the way of the 18th century.
COOK'S COTTAGE
Fitzroy Gardens, Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002
1000-1600hrs (daily)
Admission: $7.20
Then I popped by Market Lane Coffee, only to realised that it’s closed on Sundays when I’m there! Continued to Shandong Mama for lunch. This is one of the places that I’ve tried during my previous trip and is the only dining place that I can’t wait to return to! The dumplings here are soooo good!!
Waited 40mins for a table! They have got a few filling options, available as boiled or pan-fried, as well as some Chinese dishes. Got the Fried Melbourne Dumplings which consists of a chicken and seafood filling.
SHANDONG MAMA (BOURKE STREET)
Midcity Centre Shop 7, 200 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
1100-2130hrs (daily)
After which, I headed to National Gallery of Victoria. Founded in 1861, the gallery is Australia’s oldest and most visited art museum. There is currently a temporary outdoor exhibit titled “Temple of Boom”, a reimagining of The Parthenon, built to a third scale of the original building. As well as “Alexander McQueen”, a showcase of his greatest works.
As it’s Lunar New Year, it’s free entry today! Except for the Alexander McQueen exhibit, which was $30. The Alexander’s exhibit was really interesting, showcasing some of his greatest designs; but the gallery itself was kind of boring to me.
Side note: The Parthenon was built as a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena.
NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA
180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3006
1000-1700hrs (daily)
Admission: $15
Next, to State Library of Victoria to take a break, so exhausted by now and my legs were tired. It is Australia’s oldest public library, established in 1854. One of the first free libraries in the world and is popular for its La Trobe Reading Room on social media, an octagonal space with a dome.
STATE LIBRARY OF VICTORIA
328 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
1000-1800hrs (Mon, Thu-Sun), 1000-2000hrs (Tue-Wed)
My foundation funnily happened to finish this morning, and luckily Melbourne Central, a mall located opposite the library, has Sephora; and it is SG$16 cheaper here!! Anyway, this mall has quite a history. It was built in 1991 with the intention to save the historic Coop’s Shot Tower from being demolished, that was built in 1888. Today, a huge glass cone goes over the tower and the tower now houses the museum and some tenants.
MELBOURNE CENTRAL
Corner of LaTrobe and Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
1000-1900 (Mon-Wed, Sat-Sun), 1000-2100hrs (Thu-Fri)
Lastly, I went to Instea to get some drinks, and then dinner at DooBoo. What’s cool about Instea is that they serve boba tea in pretty perfume-looking glass bottles! Sadly, they have very limited options for their perfume-bottle series, and I went with brown sugar boba milk and strawberry latte in the end. The glass bottle is really good quality, I must say! DooBoo is a Korean stew place, there’s a few other dishes as well. I went with the Beef Bulgogi Hotpot, which comes with steamed rice and Korean side dishes. The stew was really, really good! Other than beef slices, it has an assortment of mushrooms, cabbage, carrot, onions, rice cake slices and sweet potato noodles.
INSTEA
210 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 1100-2200hrs (Mon-Thu, Sun), 1100-2300hrs (Fri-Sat) Website | Instagram
DOOBOO
261 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 1100-2130hrs (Mon-Thu), 1100-2200hrs (Fri), 1130-2200hrs (Sat), 1200-2100hrs (Sun)
Website | Instagram
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Expenses for Day 2
Rose St Market, preserved flowers jar: $23
Axil Coffee Roasters, Iced Latte: $5.34
Cook’s Cottage: $7.20
Shandong Mama:
- Coke: $3.20
- Fried Melbourne Dumplings (10pc): $16.80
NGV, Alexander McQueen exhibit: $30
Sephora, foundation: $68
Instea:
- Mr Bobo (brown sugar boba, milk): $12.80
- Strawberry Latte: $12.80
DooBoo, Beef Bulgogi hotpot: $22.80
TOTAL: AU$201.94 = $183.58
Previous Expense: $3,471.92
Total as of Day 2: $3,655.50
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